Days With the Duerksens

Delaney learned this cute song in pre-school.  I think she has "Kansas" and her Aunt "Candace" mixed up - possibly because her aunt's birthday was 2 days before Kansas Day!  Anyway, have a listen:

We celebrated with cookies! They are supposed to look like the state of KS, but they sort of look like buses without wheels.  They sure tasted good - no matter what they looked like! Almost looks like a sunflower? Eating cookies in a princess dress is definitely the way to go!

Delaney was supposed to begin pre-school last week, but she was sick all week with a high fever.  So, today marked her official first day!  She complained all morning about going (coming off sickness is hard)!  Thankfully, by the time we got to pre-school, she was ready.  It helped that her friend, Jenna, was there to show her the ropes and that Grammy is one of her teachers! Wow - it is this family's last first day of pre-school!  I guess since she is our youngest, this is the first of many lasts to come. Gayle shows Delaney where to put her coat and bag She found her name Ready for a story

This past weekend, we loaded up the van and headed to Manhattan (again)!  This time, for a men's basketball game vs. Oklahoma State.  We were not disappointed!  Remarkably, we were all healthy, we had good seats, the game was super-exciting, and Delaney got chosen to go down on the floor during halftime for a "Small Slams Dunking Contest!" (more on that below) We 3 girls went to the photo booth - a highlight for both of them! These guys are HUGE when you see them up close! I wasn't sure if she would really do it, but she had one brief, brave moment and decided to give it a try.  So, right before halftime, she and the other 8 or 9 kids went down to "practice" in the tunnel (right by the locker rooms).  Delaney was definitely IN when she realized that a real live cheerleader would be helping her out on the court. Getting acquainted Walking down the tunnel Halftime came and out they marched - oblivious to the fact that there wer...

We had a few people over for New Year's Eve - more kids than adults, actually!  I covered the kids' table with craft paper and wrote "2013 Memories" on it.  I left some crayons on the table and a few children actually wrote/drew some things - I was pleasantly surprised! Delaney's contribution - some "words" and the sun Addi was super-excited about their puppy - look at that drawing! She was not as excited about the big x through her picture. I think it was discovered that little Levi was the "picture crosser-outer," but no one could be absolutely certain!  I think this was Cambry - remembering our field trips also Cambry I think this was Noah - school and getting a dog!